a Sidney kind of Sunday

This is how my darling girl-child would spend every Sunday if it were left totally up to her...


There'd be some quality time spent outside on the front porch swinging



We'd shower Dozer in kisses and love



and watch for cars coming down the road with him



We'd feel happy just to be outside and enjoying the morning together



but of course there's always much fun to be had inside watching a little TV



We'd all dance to the "We Did It" song from Dora...






Oh, and of course eat BBQ chips for breakfast as we danced to Dora



And after we're tired from kissing, car-watching, swinging, dancing and enjoying LIFE we'd kick back on the couch and call "Gran" just to say "hey".

My kid has this whole Sunday morning routine thing totally pegged.

guest blogger: mocha beanie mummy Q&A

Another guest blogger!!! I know you guys are TOTALLY stoked. I've been following Ms. Lindsay aka the mocha beanie mummy for quite some time now. I adore her and her blog and her boys! She's a wonderful person to "know" on blogger and twitter and I'm sure just in general. When I approached her about this guest-post, she was just as enthusiastic as I was and I love her even more for it. She's a genuis momma raising her two very young and very close in age boys. I can't imagine how she keeps her sanity sometimes - I can barely hang on to mine and I've got half the kids she's got! If you want to learn more about the darling Ms. Lindsay and her life, her boys and her witty little self then please do check her out! Her blog link is HERE and her twitter link is HERE.

PLEASE go show her some love and tell her what a darling she is for joining me on this little Q&A guest post! She's answered below for her two sons Noah and Isaac (N for Noah and I for Isaac, obviously) and I've answered with an S for Sidney! Again, I have to say mucho much thanks to my darling guest blogger!!! I had such a blast with this one (of course who wouldn't have a blast talking about their babies all day?!!)

Q&A: mocha beanie mummy & mommaruthsays

When you found out you were pregnant, what was the first thing that went through your mind?
N: Score!! Man that was easy...

I: Crap!! That was easy...

S: For me, the first feeling I had was “Oh, sh*t” followed by “wow” followed by “it’s amazing” followed by “I’m so lucky”. I was barely 18 when I found out. It was my freshman year of college, and I was nowhere near ready to be a parent. But I am mature enough now, as I was then, to know that any pregnancy is a blessing, and shouldn’t be disregarded no matter the circumstances.
----------

Did you want a boy or a girl? Or did it matter?
N: I wanted anything that was human and healthy.

I: I wanted anything that was human and wouldn’t physically destroy me.

S: I wanted a girl. I know Justin wanted (and still wants) a boy. But above all, I wanted healthy and happy!
----------

When you found out the sex of your baby, how did you react? How did your partner and family react?
N: Was *totally* expecting a girl so I think I partly questioned whether it was real. I think I was more in shock about his size to be honest.

I: Shocked again, was convinced it was a girl. Hubs and I were chuffed to bits.

S: I was elated!! Justin never would admit that it was going to be a girl. Up until Sidney was born, he held out some small hope she’d be a boy. Both of our families were thrilled – Sidney is the first grandchild on either side, so you can just imagine their reactions.
---------

Did you have any preconceived notions about raising a boy/girl that were shattered after your baby got here?
N: Not shattered, but proved - boys are FUN :D

I: Not shattered but proved - boys are squooshy yumminess.

S: I think we both had the idea that she’d be a charming, adorable, and skillful little baby from the moment she got here, and so far, its rung true. From day one she’s had us all wrapped around her little finger and she KNOWS IT!
----------

How does your baby handle the word “no”? How do you handle the way your baby handles the word “no”?
N: He's very good (mostly) though he's started testing me by doing naughty stuff, then frowning and shaking his head saying "ouuuwww" (noooo). I have to struggle really hard not to laugh.

I: He’s too young though I suspect it’ll be quite similar.

S: Sidney is very much a girl when it comes to the word “no”. She does the pouty lip, the dropped head, and the watered eyes. It breaks her daddy’s heart. Usually he apologizes to her for being so mean, and she gets what she wants. I’m not so gullible. She knows that stuff doesn’t work on momma! Usually with me, it’s just a fight – mean and ugly. She ends up having to stay in her room until she’s calmed down and has quit crying.
----------

Do you or your partner ever get upset if your boy/girl starts to do/play something that relates more to the opposite gender?
N: Hell no! He has a fixation for the pink push chairs and bikes at playgroup. That makes me laugh. He also loves my handbags. The boy has style, obviously.

I: Heh he’s still too young. Though as long as he’s happy, we don’t care if he plays with “opposite gender” toys. Though...I may draw the line at baby dolls that cry and pee and poop. I got enough of that already.

S: I don’t, personally. I think she’s curious as a person, not just as a girl. I think it’s important to let her play with whatever she wants, whether that is dolls or dump-trucks. Justin pretty much agrees with me on this one, although I don’t think he’d be too happy to see his baby boy playing with dolls. That’ll be a bridge we have to cross someday, I’m sure.
----------

What do you think will be the biggest struggle for your baby when he/she gets older since he/she is a boy/girl?
N: Hmmm...he's a very gentle boy so he might be wary of rough and tumble kids; also he rarely fights back if someone hurts him.

I: Sneaking suspicion we’ll have similar problems. Even more so as he’s built like a bulldozer but wouldn’t hurt a fly.

S: I have no idea what the future holds for Sidney, and who’s to say how things will be when she’s an adult? But I do know that she’s going to grow up a girl in the South, and with that alone come obstacles to overcome: ignorance, prejudice and narrow mindedness among them. Hopefully I can teach her to be a decent human being and a good individual regardless of her sex!
----------

As the mother of a son/daughter, how are you preparing yourself for the dreaded “teenage” years?
N: Dread. He’s a good looking kid and without being crude, I suspect he may be popular with the ladies when he’s much older. I blame my genes.

I: I'm not. He will be my baby FOREVER.

S: I DREAD THIS LIKE I DREAD THE END OF THE WORLD!!!!!!!! There is no preparation for it, is there?
----------

What’s the best advice you can give to other mothers who also have a son/daughter? What was the best advice given to you as the parent of a boy/girl?
N: Enjoy every single kiss or cuddle you get. Make the most of them as they are at that time, and do NOT wish their life away. Words of wisdom.

I: Try not to sweat the small stuff. There are so many things I’ve just not had time to worry about second time around. I want to enjoy him as much as possible, and if it goes to pants, well, deal with that when we get there.

S: As the mother of a daughter, I say just “relax – let things happen”. She’s only going to be a little girl for so long. Someday she’ll be your big girl and a baby no more. Enjoy the ride and make every moment count. Tears are going to happen. Screaming fits of rage are going to happen. But so is laughter and love and that’s what matters most.
-----------

Was there ever a defining moment in your life when you were able to look at your child and say: “He/she is such a boy/girl!”?
N: We bought him some little Hot Wheels cars and some cars from the film, "Cars" the other week. He hasn't played with any of his other toys since. In fact, if it's got wheels on it, it's perfect.

I: The day (hour) he was born and whilst being weighed, he peed all over the midwife. Perfect aim. Awesome.

S: One day Sidney got upset over something I can’t even remember now. She was about 16-18 months, I think. I just remember her going into her first fit of “hysterics” – uncontrollable sobbing. She was in full-blown panic-attack mode. Justin just looked at me said “Good god, she’s just like you”.
----------

Now that you are the parent of a boy/girl, can you imagine your child being the opposite sex? Do you want to try to have more children until you do have a child of the opposite sex? Why or why not?
N: I could never imagine him being the opposite sex. He's too cool to be a girl.

I: Nope. He’s much better as a boy (I just couldn’t imagine girls born at 11lbs...for me it’s a little weird). And lovely as they are, I'm sure, I don't want a girl, and don't want to try for one. Besides, I'm not sure I've got enough sarcasm and wit to get me through another pregnancy.

S: I can’t imagine Sidney being anything other than the darling, charming, witty little girl she is, although there are times I think she would be better suited as a little boy – she is very rough and tumble sometimes! But she is my little girl and I love her just the way she is. Justin says we’ll try again for a boy, but if we get up to three babies with no boy then we’re done. I’m not so set on a certain number or a boy-girl equation. Whatever happens, happens in my book!
---------

Wasn't that just the most fun ever?! I love her little snippet about Isaac peeing on the midwife. Makes me LOL every time! Keep coming back for more fun and enjoyment. I've got another guest blogger coming up sometime soon!!!

label me a total "loser" with a capital L

Go ahead and shoot me now. I have been a totally PATHETIC and USELESS and BORING little blogger lately, haven't I? You don't have to say it. I know I have.

And I'm sorry. Like, really really REALLY sorry. It's just that life has been so busy this past week and I've been going, excuse my french, shithouse (an expression from Wayne's World - a VHS on repeat at my house lately).

BUT and this is a really, big, totally fun and completely exciting BUT - I have some treats lined up for you guys and dolls this coming week.

I'm working on two guest posts from the mocha beanie mummy and Stephanie from A Blue-eyed Girl Met a Brown-Eyed Boy. It's going to be very fun and very informative and basically an all-out blast! So look for those posts coming later this week...

And until then, my fellow peeps, just keep checking back in with me. I promise I won't be such a dud from here on out, okay? Ta-ta...

forever your girl

Jacob Black, you have my heart...
The Twilight Saga: New Moon 'Meet Jacob Black' Preview in HD

My inner tween is positiviely bubbling with excitement right now!

I cannot wait for 11/20/2009 to get here!!!

(Thanks Jessica for posting this on FB)

pageant princess for a day

My sweet, sweet girl was in her second beauty pageant Saturday afternoon. She looked absolutely adorable in her little blue dress (even with her ears sticking out just like mine always do). It was a busy Saturday and by the time the pageant rolled around she was hot, sleepy and hungry - but nevertheless, she did her best and took home 2nd runner up. This is our once a year pageant we participate in. It's a local pageant that goes hand-in-hand with the local festival we have in town. Each girl that wins her division is invited to ride in the big parade. It's my dream/goal/fantasy to ride in the parade with Sidney with that big ole crown on her head, throwing out candy to the crowd and living vicariously* through my daughter for a day (because I was never the beauty queen type).


playing with Gran's smartboard @ school



fanny & I tried to keep her happy before the pageant...



this is SidMo's attempt at "cheese" - too freaking precious



getting ready to go on - before the "meltdown" on stage :(






this is her doing a good job...we won't talk about the "bad job"



2nd runner up (same as last year!)

So she had a little meltdown and didn't have a total blast at the pageant - big whoop?! She's a toddler for pete's sake! I'm not so blinded by beauty pageant greed that I forget that my BABY is still just a BABY at the end of the day. We'll try again next year for the "big" title, but no matter what we have a little fun doing this! It's fun to be girly and glossed up and prance around in frilly dresses and have your picture taken - but trust me, my nerves can only handle this rare occasion once a year! I don't know how some pageant moms do it - even if their kids love doing it, it would frazzle my ever loving mind!!! But hey, to each her own. It's just not something the SidMo monster and I could do every other weekend.

Here's the little doll post-pageant (and post-nap) enjoying some much deserved, junk-food filled lunch at Gran's house:









*Whenever Sidney decides she doesn't want to do pageants, then that will be that. I'm not going to be a Toddlers & Tiaras kind-of-mom and push her into doing anything she doesn't want to do...however, if she does want to be a beauty queen kind-of-girl, I'll gladly be there to support her and share her glory.

bonefire smokehouse & smoking hot Jacob Black

This is a local eatery that isn't hardly three blocks from where I work! And here they are being big winners on Regis + Kelly! Kingsport, TN isn't my hometown but it's always been the "big city" not thirty minutes from my little dot on the map. Anything that supports our area and makes me proud to be southern deserves a little spot on my blog!


AAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDDDDDD

Just so you know how much of a total freak loser I am, I am willing to admit that I've watched this 14 second clip more times than is decent for a person my age. BUT THAT LAUTNER BOY IS SMOKING. I fell in love with Jacob Black in the books and I'm falling even more in love with him through these movies. Edward better seriously win my heart back sometime soon or I'll be totally pissed off when Bella doesn't choose Jacob at the end of the movie series.

being spon-tan-you-us*

I have the distinct feeling that from now until the end of September my mind will be temporarily scatter-brained beyond repair. I have a bazillion things going on right now what with the wedding, Sidney's 2nd birthday rapidly approaching, planning a little get-together for my 21st because I believe that is an adult birthday worth celebrating, my mom's birthday coming up, my step-dad's birthday coming up, school starting back at the end of the month, my job possibly taking a different (maybe in a better way) route and of course finding a little "me" time in there to keep my sanity, cherish my good family and friends AND AND AND keep my hubby-to-be happy!!!

WHEW!, let's catch our breath and take a stiff shot of something!

Unfortunately, I think this might mean my posts will become less and less interesting and focused AND more demented, wild, chaotic and harder to follow. I'll try to keep things coherent and fun for everyone, but no promises. BUT JUST THINK! Soon, I'll have a million adorable pictures to share from Sidney's cupcake-themed 2nd birthday part AND gorgeous shots of our wedding!!!! I am very excited about sharing those with you. I'm also planning a LBD 21st birthday party (I know, Mom, I'm not supposed to plan my own party) and I think it will be divine :) I love themed parties, in case you couldn't tell already, and I've never really had a dress-up kind of themed party...so this should be fun! Plus, the drinks will be a'flowing so it can't be too hard not to have a good time!

To keep you entertained with freshness and coolness and awesomeness that is so much better than my usual wedding/Sidney/batshit-crazy-life-of-mine, I'm trying to scope out some great bloggers whom I admire and love to follow and get them to come here to guest blog! Personally, I love guest bloggers! I think it's fun and fresh to have someone else come onto your site and give their ideas, inspirations and thoughts on subjects you approach them about. I hit up my second guest blogger today - we'll just have to wait and see what she says!

Until then, my darling friends, I hope you'll stay tuned and keep checking back in with me. Lord knows I could use a little encouragement and support between now and the end of next month (and always - we can all always use a little extra love in our lives). I'll do my best to be out there reading your blogs and leaving my comment-love like I always try do!!

Until then...

*This is a line from Happy Feet - Sidney and I watch this all time time! Side story: we started watching it right before I left to take her back to her Gran's house last night. When I got back home, Justin was still sitting on the couch watching it. It was one of those moments where I was like "Ummmm. Why are you still watching this?" I love the little awkward moments a couple can share whilest living together.

you light up my life*

*I've been singing that stupid song all weekend long - only that's the ONLY part I know! I can hum the rest, but that's the only freaking part I can actually sing out loud. Isn't that beyond lame? Like really really REALLY far-out totally exponentially beyond all reasoning LAME? Yeah, I thought so, too.

But she makes me feel all warm and fuzzy like that so...what else can I do but sing that one line over and over and over again?



She lights up my life.

Harry Potter Q&A

As I mentioned earlier this week, I have a guest blogger on my site today! I am so excited (thrilled, pumped up, psyched, etc. etc. etc.) to have LISA from Unfiltered Insanity on my blog today. She has agreed to be the whiz-kid and answer all of my questions regarding the latest Harry Potter installment (and then some)!!!

*I have to warn you that there might be spoilers listed down below in the Q&A section, so if you haven't seen the new HP proceed with caution!!!

Here is her entire post regarding the newest Harry Potter and some reflections on the older ones as well. If you have any more questions regarding HP please feel free to leave a comment on here and I'll get an answer back to you from the Guru of HP herself as soon as possible!

And be sure to check out Lisa's blog and show her some big love for being such a great guest blogger!!


---------------


HARRY POTTER & THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE Q&A

1.This movie was much more in depth into the love lives of the Hogwarts students – so what happened to Harry’s first love, Cho?
While the movie makes it seem that Harry was done with Cho after she “ratted” them out (under the influence of Veritaserum, a.k.a. truth potion) for being in Dumbeldore’s Army, the truth is, she just couldn’t get over Cedric Diggory. She spent their first, and only, date crying. He was done with her then. Ginny is a much better match anyway!

2.What is the significance of the Half-Blood Prince? What does that even mean “Half-Blood Prince”? Other than having some extra little snippets in his old book for Harry to use, what was the purpose of the Half-Blood Prince?
Half-Blood Prince was a self-given title that Snape gave himself. Half-Blood means that you are not a full-blooded wizard (i.e. both parents being wizards). Here’s where reading the book REALLY comes in handy, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are under the impression that it was really Voldemort’s book. They had no idea it was Snape’s until Snape revealed that little tidbit to him.

3.Who was that new kid – the blonde one who liked Hermione so much? One minute he was there and then he was just kind of gone. What was up with that?
Cormack McClellan is a new character in this book. He’s “that guy” you have in every high school. Ruggedly handsome, great at everything, and a pompous jerk. He plays a very minor role in the book too.

4.When did Nymphadora (I don’t remember her other name) and the werewolf teacher guy hook up? Isn’t he a lot older than her?
One of the key missing ingredients from the book to the movie. He is a lot older than she. I’m hoping they elaborate on their relationship more in the next movie for the “movie-only fans.” Their relationship is key to Harry and I was really disappointed that they didn’t elaborate more on that in the movie. Not to mention, Luna does not discover Harry on the train petrified under his cloak. Tonks does. Harry notices she’s not quite herself and worries about her terribly. Her patronus has changed in the book, which is also a key indicator to Harry that something is not right with her. You later discover that it is the weight of the relationship between her and Lupin that is so difficult for her. He was worried about the age difference and at one point chooses not to pursue the relationship. Like I said, I’m hoping they elaborate more on that in the next two movies.

5.Was Draco just used a pawn by Voldemort? Did he really want Draco to kill Dumbledore or was he just using him to get the death-eaters into the school?
I cannot answer this question until the next two movies are completed. If they don’t explain this in the “Deathly Hallows” movies, I will be more than happy to elaborate on this, but for now, I cannot answer this.

6.Why did things come back weird in that traveling box thing (the apple bitten, the bird dead)?
One closet is in the school, one is in Borgin and Burkes (the dark artifacts store in Diagon Alley). I think the point of this was to show that someone was, in fact, on the other end. You don’t even know how these things are happening in the books until the end. You are completely unaware of the closet being the key until the end of the book. I was disappointed that they gave so much away so soon in the movie.

7.If the Weasleys and everyone else surrounding them are such wizards of magic, why didn’t they put the fire out and just save their house? Dumbledore was able to put Slughorn’s house back into order, so why can’t the Weasleys do the same?
The house doesn’t get burned down in the book. This is my biggest issue from the movie. LIKE HUGE ISSUE! The Burrow plays a huge role in the next book and is the location for many important events. I’m hoping that they do have the wizards repair the house because it is essential. I’m still bitter. Grrrrr.

8.Don’t fully explain, because I hate spoilers but, is R.A.B. someone we already know or is someone new in the story to be introduced later?
All I’m going to say is that the mystery of RAB is a mystery through at least ½ the next book. No, we don’t know who he is yet. Nothing more on this.



Now, some Movie/Book discrepancies that haven’t been asked about:

Who are Padfoot, Prongs, Wormtail, and Mooney? (Authors of the Marauder’s Map)
Padfoot and Wormtail, you’ve eventually learned from the movies are Sirius and Peter Pettigrew, respectively. Prongs is Harry’s father (James) hence he could turn into a stag (hence Harry’s patronus). Mooney is Lupin, because he’s a werewolf.

Does Harry really lose his broom in the first Quidditch match of the year against Slytherin?
Yes and No. The first match is actually against Hufflepuff. This match introduces Cedric Diggory into the mix, who as you know if you’ve seen movie 4 and 5,plays a huge character in Harry’s life. But yes, dementors storm the field during the match, causing Harry to fall off his broom and his broom really does get blown into the Whomping Willow.

Does Harry really get a Firebolt (“best of the best” broom) from Sirius?
Yes, he does, but he receives it in the middle of the book and there is a huge fight between Harry and Hermione. She tells McGonigal and she confiscates the broom from Harry until it could be tested to make sure that whoever the anonymous benefactor is (at this point they don’t know it was Sirius who sent it), isn’t actually trying to kill Harry.

If Lupin’s class had to write an essay regarding werewolves, why is it that Hermione is the only student who figured out that Lupin is a werewolf?
Because Lupin returns to the very next class and cancels the assignment immediately. The only person who’d completed it was Hermione, thus, leaving her the only student who had figured it out.

Is there really a fight between Ron and Hermione in the book?
Not only between Ron and Hermione, but Harry and Hermione too. Hermione is quite outcast in this book. It isn’t until the end of the book that their relationship is restored, when Hagrid calls them down to his hut.

So, how does Harry really learn about Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew?
This is actually a huge discrepancy between the book and the movie. In the book, Harry learns the story in Hogsmeade, like the movie, EXCEPT, he is NOT under the invisibility cloak, and he is NOT alone. He’s in the Hogshead with Ron and Hermione and is forced under the table when Hagrid, Flitwick, Fudge, and McGonigal walk in. The whole, teen angst, crying thing… never happens. THEN, when in the Shrieking Shack, Harry learns the truth. The only reason Sirius was able to keep his sanity in Azkaban was because he knew he was innocent. He also kept murmuring “He’s at Hogwarts” in his sleep. Why? Because he saw the edition of the Daily Prophet that has the Weasley family on the front with none other than Scabbers (Pettigrew) on Ron’s shoulder. Sirius’ mission was then to protect Harry, not kill him.


CONT'D...

There are a lot of details missed in the third movie, and these are just a few that are actually crucial. There are actually more that are crucial. But that could be an entire post.

Now for the fourth book: Actually, this is another very, very long thing. I will say that they do get the challenges for the Triwizard Tournament right, in general. A few details are missing, but overall, it is almost accurate. The events at the World Cup are inaccurate. The Weasley’s actually have top box seats WITH the Malfoys and the Minister of Magic. There’s a gambling ordeal. There’s S.P.E.W. House Elves play a HUGE role in this book. The whole story is missing from the movie, really.

Order of the Phoenix. I liked the movie. There were a few discrepancies, but minor compared to 3 and 4. A huge thing is the attack on Mr. Weasley. While you see this in the movie, what you don’t see is that Ron, Ginny, AND Harry and Hermione go with them to the hospital and back to Sirius’ house. This is where you learn about Neville’s parents, as he’s there over the Christmas Holiday to visit them. This book is also where you learn that Neville could have been the “boy who lived” instead of Harry, but that Voldemort chose Harry. This book also has the complete prophecy told to him by Dumbledore, as he was the one who heard it from Professor Trelawney during her interview for the post. Not to mention, Harry is also finally given an explanation as to why he is forced to go back to the Dursley’s year after year. It is for his protection. There is an enchantment that Dumbledore performed to protect Harry from Voldemort.

If you Google search “Harry Potter differences book and movie” You’ll get a whole LIST of things from others who’ve blogged about it before. These are really just a few things. I encourage all to read the books. They’re fast reads, even though they are huge books (well, at least 3, 4, 5, and 7 are), and you’ll get a great appreciation for the story of Harry Potter!


---------------

A BIG, HUGE, GIGANTIC, MONGO THANK YOU TO LISA!!!
From one measly Harry Potter fan to the creme de la creme of Harry Potter fans!

what I like about you

Whenever I go browsing around the blogger-world looking for new blogs to follow, I'm usually not following a very specific pattern. I just skip from blog to blog to blog to blog until I find one that catches my eye and keeps me interested. I never realized how many blogs there are out there. Let me rephrase: how many MOMMY blogs there are out there. And it got me thinking?

Is this a mommy blog?

What are the criteria to be considered a mommy blog? I am a "mommy" (or as my child will tell you a mom-mom) and I have a blog. Does that automatically put me in the mommy blog club? I don't think so. A lot of moms out there have blogs but they definitely aren't run-of-the-mill mommy blogs. I talk about my kid a lot on here because I love her and she's cool and I enjoy sharing our life with people. I enjoy giving others a glimpse into our little lives in the hopes that somehow we'll be better connected with the world around us. I don't want us to dig down in our holes and never see the beauty of the people and places around us. Sure, there are times when I worry I'm over exposing her. I know there are creepers out there on the internet who are sick and twisted, and honestly sometimes I freak myself out a little with just how honest and personal I am on here.

But that's okay - I trust in the fact that what I'm doing here is 900% more for the greater good than evil. I have faith and confidence that by sharing my life with others, I am being the best person I can be. I don't hide the bad and the ugly, but I don't air all my dirty laundry out here. The same goes for the good in my life - I talk about all the nice things in my life more often than not, but there are moments I keep for myself and my family. My life isn't an open book - it's just sort of cracked open wide enough for others to peek at a little.

So this brings me back to the things I look for in the people and blogs I enjoy reading and learning about. I enjoy honesty in other people's blogs. I want to read about how someone else is struggling with being a mom and getting the dishes done and their kids toilet trained. I enjoy reading horror stories about sick babies and new parents pulling all-nighters with their firstborns. The plain and ordinary circumstances of our day to day lives are actually quite funny and entertaining if we're willing to just accept them and share them with others. Not every blog has to be about exciting rendevous in foriegn countries or exotic trips where no expenses are spared. Not everyone has to be famous or semi-famous or even quasi-famous for their lives to be interesting. Actually the lifestyles of the (un)rich and the (un)famous are far more entertaining than any Hollywood starlet could ever hope to be.

My blog is about my life and my family - my hopes, my dreams, my nightmares and my desires. I share with you (almost) everything that's going on in my life and 97.4% of the time it's not earth shattering excitement. It's just me and my life and my boring little stories that sometimes make you laugh (or at least smile in the corners of your mouth...like I hope you're doing right now - are you?). I love honest blogs that showcase honest families and honest people and aren't afraid to be boring. I love boring! It makes me feel better about having such a boring life myself!!!

But then again, I don't think my life is boring. Sure, sometimes it's a little slow and the world seems to be whizzing right by me. But I know I'll get back in the game in no time. It's only a matter of time before my un-boring moment comes and I'll have something really great to share with you all. Until then, just keep checking back if you enjoy the semi-great (and even the quasi-great). That's all I can promise you. That's all I expect out of the blogs I follow. Simple greatness.

Now there's an oxymoron for you from the biggest (oxy)moron of them all - me.

can chaotic mumbling be considered a real post?

I have about a blue million incoherent thoughts running through my mind right now. Should I blog about our weekend trip to Pigeon Forge? Should I tell you about some upcoming events on the ole blog happening later this week? Should I just post up some cute pictures of the kid? Should I do a DELIGHT? I DON'T KNOW! I DON'T KNOW!!! SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT TO DO!!!!!!!

*Breathe* Take it easy. It's just a blog. If I don't make you crack up every day, it'll be alright. Even if I just keep blogging about the mundane and the ordinary, those of you out there who truly enjoy my blog will keep coming back for more (or you'll just wonder around and wait for me to drum up something good). There's no pressure with this blog. I'm not getting paid to do any of this. I'm not trying to impress my boss or my friends or my professors. I'm doing this for me. And for you. So that we can all enjoy this crazy rollercoaster ride I call "my life".

So today I have nothing much to offer you - just a simple little post about how the weekend was good. It was fun. We had a good time in Pigeon Forge: there was much walking, much eating, much enjoyment to be shared. I had fully planned on documenting the weekend with a rigorous photo expedition, but alas I left my memory stick at home and was not able to shoot a stinking thing (except for the pictures I put up on twitter).

I was so glad to get home yesterday. Sidney and I both collapsed on the couch for a little "veg" time before unpacking and cleaning up the house. I had missed Justin terribly even though we'd only been apart for two days. It was nice to sleep in my own bed next to him last night - very nice.

Coming up on this blog this week, a very exciting HARRY POTTER post featuring the lovely and talented Lisa from Unfiltered Insanity. She was kind enough to answer all of my HP-related questions from the newest movie + add some more Q&A's that I always wanted to know but could never remember to ask someone! So definitely check back thursday for that special post (plus spread the word around for others to check back here for our HP Q&A's)!!!

Sidney will hit the 23-month mark Wednesday, so I'm sure I'll be blogging about that and how I'm very near hysterics over the fact that her SECOND BIRTHDAY is just around the corner!!! AGHH - where did my baby girl go? I want her back now!

Plus I'm sure I'll throw in a DELIGHT and maybe a wedding update for all ya'll to enjoy. Today I've got nothing but promises for the rest of the week! So check back soon and see all the goodies I've got in store. I'm just a real dud today :)